More Powerful Than Surveillance, More Persuasive Than Words / Tachibana and Hoshino: A Subtle Reaction

The photos weren't anything special; they were mostly pictures of the Special Building, not very useful— Kamuro Masumi didn't seem to have specifically selected them; she sent all the photos taken on that day.

However, one of the photos is different.

Unlike other landscape photos, the subject of this picture is a voluptuous girl with long, sunny pink hair who looks very lively.

This girl gave Hoshino En a familiar feeling; it was as if he had seen her somewhere before.

But that's not important. She's not the reason this photo is useful. What's truly important is what's behind her—in a corner of the photo featuring the pink-haired girl, the corridor of the Special Building is conveniently located, and in that not-so-large space, Ken Sudō's impatient expression and the smug expressions of the other three boys are clearly captured.

Among the three boys, Hoshino En recognized one of them: Ishizaki Daichi, A-Sho's top henchman and one of the three who reported Sudo for assault.

According to the three people who reported it, Sudo was the one who started the trouble—but judging from this photo, they should be the ones who actually initiated it.

There's no need to watch the later videos; this photo alone is enough to prove Ken Sudō's innocence.

First Semester of First Year:

Chapters 116 and 109: More powerful than surveillance, more persuasive than words.

However, this wasn't important to Hoshino En, and he didn't intend to interfere in the matter.

What he's more concerned about now is: who exactly is this girl with the exaggerated figure?

While it's impossible to make a precise judgment from just a photo, her size is likely comparable to Ichinose's, which is quite rare among ordinary high school girls.

Moreover, her image is very memorable, belonging to the category of campus goddesses; if her personality were even better, she might be comparable to Ichinose and Kushida as an "angel lady."

If Hoshino En had met someone like that, she certainly wouldn't forget them; yet she doesn't remember them, only having a faint impression... Is it because the impression the other person left on her before is different from this one?

The other person is a student at the school, so she should be someone he has seen in the past two months. Her physique shouldn't have changed much; the difference lies in her appearance.

But appearance is something that can be changed at will—clothes can be changed to other styles, glasses can be replaced with contact lenses, hair can be replaced with wigs, legs can be replaced with flesh-colored shaping stockings, pimples and scars on the face can be covered with cosmetics, and even the body can be padded with silicone to make it fuller.

However, technology and hard work can probably only support up to Kushida's level, which is a D cup; it would be difficult to achieve an F cup like Ichinose's, and even if padding were used, it wouldn't look very real. Her breasts are probably real.

Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that the image has been edited, but since Kamuro didn't even bother to extract the useful photos before submitting them, he probably wouldn't have gone to the trouble of editing this insignificant [main character]'s image, so that possibility can be ruled out.

However, among the voluptuous girls... besides Ichinose Honami, it seems there are only Sakura Airi and Hasebe Haruka, both from Class D.

Looking at her facial features and appearance, this girl looks more like Sakura Airi without her glasses.

Wow~ I never expected someone who appears to be the dark side of the class could be so open and honest in private.

Looking at this photo alone, who would guess that this child is a socially awkward person who can't speak a word in front of others?

But let's wait a bit longer. Although that makes sense, Hoshino En feels that her sense of familiarity comes from something more definite.

What is it...?

While Hoshino En was deep in thought looking at that photo, Tachibana Akane, standing behind him, was furious.

Although the main subject of the photo was a plump girl, because it was said to be related to deliberation, she looked at it very carefully and immediately noticed the unusual thing in the corner.

Clearly, that contradicts the testimony of Class C who filed the lawsuit; it was the three members of Class C who provoked Ken Sudō first.

In other words, their Student Council was used as a tool by those three students from Class 1-C to attack Class 1-D; they were manipulated!!

Damn it!!!

The Bun-haired Senior was furious behind the sofa, while Katsuragi Kohei and Ichinose Honami, due to the stereotypes brought about by the phone call earlier, looked at Hoshino En, who was staring blankly at the photo of a voluptuous and beautiful girl, with troubled expressions.

Katsuragi Kohei quietly shifted back a step, carefully took out his phone, turned on the video recorder, and captured Hoshino En staring blankly at a photo of a beautiful upperclassman leaning against him, a voluptuous classmate by her arm, and a girl she didn't recognize but who was also very voluptuous and beautiful.

Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. We must make Sakayanagi see the true nature of this scumbag and make her let go of this irresponsible man.

Of course, if she were to develop hatred for Hoshino En because of this, and do something for the class to get revenge on him... it would be a bit inappropriate, but overall it would be a good thing.

Ichinose Honami was still clinging to Hoshino En's arm, almost pressed against him, her cheeks puffed up with a mixture of resentment, annoyance, worry, and determination, along with a hint of joy and anticipation.

Does Hoshino-kun really prefer voluptuous girls? Does that mean I'll receive his favor?

No, no, what am I thinking? -- Looking at these kinds of photos isn't illegal, but it's still bad. Hoshino-kun is a guy, looking at this kind of thing will keep him up at night!

Furthermore, he actually did that kind of thing with Classmate Sakayanagi! That's absolutely wrong!! How could he do that?!

Even if Classmate Sakayanagi agrees, doesn't Hoshino-kun consider her Classmate Sakayanagi? Classmate Sakayanagi is so young and in poor health; if something were to happen to her, the consequences would be very serious! Hasn't Hoshino-kun considered this?!

No, that's not right. Maybe it was Hoshino-kun's subconscious reaction; he just didn't expect it.

As expected, Hoshino-kun still needs healthier, more comprehensive, and more effective guidance!!!

How about we ask him out after school? He's usually at the library, right?

Just as Ichinose Honami was lost in thought, Hoshino En suddenly moved.

He broke free from her soft, warm embrace and quickly started searching online using his phone.

Tachibana Akane: Do you have any more compelling evidence? Bring it out now, I'm going to punish Class 1-C to death in the name of [fooling the Student Council]!!

Katsuragi Kohei: Hey, even if you like someone a lot, you shouldn't be doing it in front of Ichinose, right? Has he already [eaten] Ichinose up? So he doesn't care anymore?

Ichinose Honami: Ouch... Wait! I was just holding Hoshino-kun's arm? And I even put his arm inside my chest?

Ahhhhh, Ichinose Honami, what are you doing?!

If it weren't for other things on my mind, Ichinose Honami felt she would have run away from here immediately.

Then, surrounded by one person's anticipation, one person's doubt, and one person's wild thoughts, Hoshino En... He found a blog with the title "[Shizuku-chan]" prominently displayed at the top.

He remembered where he had seen the girl in the photo earlier: on the first day of school, when he was arguing with the salesperson at the electronics store, he had glimpsed her on the salesperson's computer.

However, because he had to argue with the shop assistant, he only briefly analyzed the Gravure Idol [Shizuku-chan], made an impression on her, and didn't pay much attention to her.

Unexpectedly... this [Shizuku-chan] is actually his classmate.

Upon seeing his search results, Ichinose Honami froze and didn't respond; Katsuragi Kohei showed an "I knew it" expression, took a close-up of his phone screen, and then stopped filming without saying a word; only Tachibana Akane, burning with anger, was displeased.

"Wait, what are you looking for? Weren't you looking for evidence?"

She rested her head on Hoshino En's shoulder, and reached out from his sides to tap his phone screen.

"When did I say I was going to look for evidence? I don't intend to get involved; it would cause a lot of trouble later."

"Also, don't come any closer, it's so hot!!"

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 117, Chapter 110: Tachibana and Hoshino, Subtle Reactions

Because the Secretary Senior was very persistent, Hoshino En still showed her the later video.

The video wasn't very well shot; the camera was constantly shaking. But the person filming clearly had some skill—she held the camera up with both hands the whole time, yet managed to stay behind the four people involved without being noticed. Although the camera was shaking, it still managed to capture most of the details of that day.

It was indeed the three from Class C who provoked them first, and Sudo didn't actually hit anyone in the end. He just used exaggerated movements to scare them, and his fists didn't land directly on them.

It was probably the effect of surviving the ordeal that made him hold back his temper and not lash out.

However, looking at it this way, he was truly wronged this time.

After watching the video, Tachibana Akane became even angrier.

That's great, there's no need for a review, this was all started by Class C, there was absolutely no misunderstanding.

"These guys..."

A creaking sound came from behind her, and Hoshino En felt that the Secretary Senior's gums were making a mournful sound.

That's why I said it: why watch videos and look for evidence? Isn't that just making things difficult for yourself?

After her anger subsided slightly, Tachibana Akane walked up to Hoshino En and extended her right hand to him.

"Hoshino -kun, please send me those videos and photos, I..."

"Don't want."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because it will be very troublesome."

Putting aside the possibility of A-Sho targeting them afterward, the source of the evidence is difficult to explain—and if that photo is used, it will inevitably involve Sakura Airi, who, given her social anxiety, will likely face difficulties.

He didn't want to make Hoshino En difficult, so he decided not to proceed.

"Ah?"

Hoshino En's refusal froze the expression on Tachibana Akane's face.

Also, isn't your reason a bit too hasty?

"Don't you want to help your classmate clear their name of the charges? And if Sudo gets punished, your class will most likely lose Class Points. Don't you care?"

"Didn't I say from the beginning? I'm really just here as a bodyguard, and I don't care how this matter ends up."

Hoshino En put her phone away, glanced at the office door, and then looked at the dumbfounded Tachibana Akane in front of her.

"Furthermore, since Karuizawa has chosen to take responsibility for this matter, then let her handle it—as long as she doesn't demand that I produce evidence in her capacity as [class representative], I won't produce any evidence."

He said this to Katsuragi Kohei, who seemed to be angry all along. The other party was still angry, probably because he felt that his current behavior contradicted his previous statement of "not interfering in class competitions." So he made it clear: he would not intervene unless his class representative asked; even if he did intervene, he would only do so according to the other party's minimum requirements and would not add any difficult or controversial information that would be hard for them to handle.

"Of course, if you Secretary Senior, were to ask the person who actually took this photo for the evidence, namely Kamuro from Class 1-A, then that would be a different story."

"But--"

Hoshino En glanced at Katsuragi beside her... Huh, where did Katsuragi go? ±(&↑≌}

He turned his head and glanced behind him, finally spotting the man who had moved to his left rear.

As he looked over, Katsuragi Kohei had just put away the hostility on his face and looked back at him with a puzzled expression, seemingly unaware of the trouble that would arise if the Secretary Senior really did that.

So, Hoshino En spoke directly to Tachibana Akane.

"However, if you really do that, Class A will also be dragged into this riot—being attacked by two classes at the same time. Can you be sure that Class C won't resort to desperate measures and do something even more troublesome? After all, their style of doing things is quite aggressive, and they have a leader who is good at exploiting loopholes and playing dirty tricks."

"But regardless of whether their next attack succeeds or not, your Student Council will definitely have a lot of work to do. Not only will Horikita Manabu's workload increase significantly, but you'll also have to work overtime."

"Working overtime means more work and less rest, which will not only affect your own class's competitiveness, but also your personal lives—poor complexion is the least of it; more serious issues include dry, split ends, excessive oil production, acne breakouts, and even irregular periods, leading to irritability and potentially dragging you into a negative cycle. Are you sure you can accept that kind of [reward]?"

His words startled Tachibana Akane, who immediately adopted a "what's the use" expression.

"Since you don't care, then I won't bother with it. Do whatever you want!"

She actually said so many threatening things, who was she trying to scare? She's not the impulsive, easily angered, or short-tempered type of person!

"Huh? Who was so agitated just now, almost getting angry at the truth? Ugh, this is so difficult--"

"Shut up!!!"

Tachibana Akane's loud shout interrupted Hoshino En's sarcastic remarks, the echo lingering in the air.

"And stop calling me 'Secretary Senior Secretary Senior,' my name is Tachibana Akane, remember that! You rude junior!!"

"Don't like this nickname? How about continuing with '[Bun-haired Senior]'?"

"Shut up--!!!"

The secretary's loud voice pierced through the two heavy Student Council doors, reaching Horikita Manabu and Karuizawa Kei, who had just returned to the office door.

Horikita Manabu: "..."

He stood in front of the door, lowered his head again, and an unnatural white light reflected off his glasses.

This is the Student Council Office, right?

Moreover, although there are quite a few people inside, they are all self-aware and outstanding elites, so they shouldn't cause any big disturbances.

So why? Why did it turn out this way?

He listened for a while, but only heard the conversation between his subordinate and Hoshino En, and didn't hear the voices of the other two first-year class representatives at all.

Are Tachibana and Hoshino's relationship really that bad?

It seems that letting the two of them share a room was a mistake; I'll have to be more careful in the future.

Moreover, in this case, Hoshino En can no longer be considered as an alternative to resist Nagumo.

Sigh... I'm so worried!!

Hearing the same sounds from inside, Karuizawa Kei had a different opinion.

I never expected that En-kun and that Secretary Senior had such a good relationship that he could ignore Ichinose had such a magnanimous heart.

But it seems like the Secretary Senior has a crush on Horikita Manabu, which is going to be tricky.

Poaching someone is a small matter; being targeted by Horikita Manabu is a big deal.

But--

Karuizawa Kei glanced at Horikita Manabu, who was looking down and somewhat tired. She didn't seem to detect any anger on his face. Didn't he mind that the Secretary Senior and En-kun were getting close?